A warm welcome awaits you at the lovingly restored equestrian center just one hour from Dublin. Enjoy your days pursuing healthy outdoor activities, returning to roaring log fires, the best of Irish food, and a relaxing evening.
The Equestrian Center offers excellent tuition with the use of both indoor and outdoor arenas. Twenty-five horses are ready and available for all different levels. Novice and advanced riders will find their perfect horse for their holiday. One of the best equestrian vacations in Ireland, with lots of horse riding available in all disciplines, particularly show jumping, cross-country, or dressage. Here you will enjoy wonderful horse riding facilities, including a great range of challenging cross-country fences, but also catering for the needs of a complete beginner.
There is an extensive cross-country course of over 130 obstacles on the 380 acre farm. They range from simple logs for those who are only starting out at jumping to an Intermediate Horse Trials event course.
We know that the vast majority of riders do not aspire to compete at very high levels, but nevertheless enjoy jumping cross-country for fun. We have lots of small logs and simple jumps for those who want to just have some good times on horseback. Often people spend all their time training in an arena to show jump, however our cross-country course is an ideal way to do lots of diverse jumping and have plenty of excitement and learn some new ideas along the way.
We also hold competitions known as "Hunter Trials" in the Spring and Autumn. This is simulation of hunting conditions where the competitors run over a marked course . They are let off at timed intervals and the least faults in the best time is the winner. This is a great competition for novice cross-country riders with the classes as follows: Pre-novice (2ft3in jumps) Novice (3ft jumps) and Open (3ft6in jumps).
The riding center enables you to stretch yourself that little bit further than ever before. Alternatively, if you just wish to do some gentle riding, we have many interesting and relaxed rides around the farm that you will enjoy. Simply trek around the farm and country lanes at leisure. Trail ride through the beautiful Slieve Bloom Mountains and end the day with a sumptuous meal followed by a quiet drink in front of the fire.

Offaly Equestrian Center
(2015) -
IT-IR-ANNSTA

Packages and Options

Rates Note:

Single Supplement is mandatory for single travelers.

Private transfers are available from Dublin, but there is a very good bus connection from the airport to Galway. Get off in Kilbeggan (approx Euro 15 each way) and we will pick you up at no charge. You can also take the train to Tullamore, but you will have to go from the airport to downtown Dublin first.

Arrival is any day of the week (Sunday is B&B only) from March-October.

Rates do not include:
Dinner on Sunday night.
Riding helmets are mandatory.

Itinerary for
Offaly Equestrian Center

There is an extensive cross-country course of over 200 obstacles on our 380 acre (160 ha.) farm. They range from simple logs for those who are only starting out at jumping to an Intermediate Horse Trials event course.
We know that the vast majority of riders do not aspire to compete at very high levels but nevertheless enjoy jumping cross-country. We have lots of small logs and simple jumps for those who want to just have some fun. Often people spend all their time training in an arena to show jump, however the cross-country course is an ideal way to do lots of diverse jumping and have plenty of fun and learn some new ideas along the way.

A Typical Day:

The main reasons people come are to horse ride, relax, and enjoy being looked after, so here is what you would be doing on a typical day of your equestrian holiday.

Breakfast - 9.00am
During this meal Vanessa will discuss the day's activities with you, which horse you wish to ride and what discipline you want for your lessons.

10.00-10.30am
Out to the yard to discover which stable your horse is in, get your tack, brushes, etc. and prepare your mount for the 11.00 am ride. There is always help available if you have problems, so don't be afraid to say you are having difficulty with getting your horse ready or are unsure of what you are doing.

11.00am
Lesson in the indoor or outdoor arenas depending on the weather.

12.45pm
Lunch back in the house and a well earned rest after the morning's activities. Lunch is a light meal, usually quiche, toasted sandwiches, or maybe homemade soup and brown bread.

2.00-2.30pm
Back to the yard for more brushing and tacking up. The ride out is at 2.30pm, when we all leave for the fields, schooling over the huge variety of cross-country fences or just a good amble around the farm for the more casual rider. We try not to put anyone under undue pressure, so do what you are comfortable with, and leave the large fences to those who wish to take them on.

4.30pm
Horses are untacked and put away for a rest, leaving you time to relax before your evening meal, walk the farm walks, take a trip to Tullamore town, only 6 minutes away by car, or just sit back and read a book from the large selection available in the house.

6.30pm-7.00pm
Dinner is served in the dining room, when all sit around and chat about the day's happenings, what War Paint did or what Dougal didn't do!

Evenings usually end early, as everyone is tired and ready for a good night's sleep, in preparation for another challenging day tomorrow!

This center is also a great for non-riders:Hiking: There are numerous routes through the magnificent Slieve Bloom Mountains for the walking enthusiast, from the gentle river walk at Cadamstown, to the strenuous climb at the cut. Clara Bog offers the naturalist a wealth of information during the two and half hour guided tour over the eskers and through the bog, giving a glimpse of times past, which have helped shape the present.

Biking: Armed with a packed lunch and detailed cycling route, the cyclist can pedal his way around the quiet country lanes, enjoying a wealth of wild flowers and birds abounding in our hedgerows. The serene route along the Grand Canal will then lead you through the rural townlands to Locke's Distillery, Kilbeggan and another trip into our past....

Golfing - There are 7 of different golf courses in the area.

Sightseeing: Due to its central location many of the top sightseeing destinations of Ireland are easily reachable by rental car.
- the magnificent ruins of Clonmacnoise
- Birr Castle, with its world famous gardens and telescope is only a half hour drive
- An Dun Transport and Heritage Museum
- The Irish National Stud in Kildare

Fishing: is the ideal location for those members of your family who wish to do some fishing. The Grand Canal is only a few kilometers away for those interested in Coarse and Pike fishing. There is no licence or permit required to fish the Canals

Other Info

Private transfers are available from Dublin, but there is a very good bus connection from the airport to Galway. Get off in Kilbeggan (approx Euro 15 each way) and we will pick you up at no charge. You can also take the train to Tullamore, but you will have to go from the airport to downtown Dublin first.

The Riding Program includes 2-3 riding hours per day - up to a total of 12 hrs or 18 hrs for the week. Whether you are a complete novice and have never ridden a horse before, or a seasoned horseman looking for something more challenging, you will find the experience at this center both rewarding and extremely enjoyable.
You can also reserve the advanced instruction program that includes 3 hours of intense instruction on 6 of the days during your week long stay. The center will design the instructions according to your riding level and include jumping, dressage, cross-country and theory.

Horseback Cross-country Course We have an extensive cross-country course of over 130 obstacles on our 380 acre (160 ha.) farm. They range from simple logs for those who are only starting out at jumping to a full Intermediate Horse Trials event course.
Twice a year we run Eventing Ireland one-day events. The course has been designed by Tommy Brennan International and European Championship course designer. We run Training, Novice and Open Intermediate Classes ( or CCN* & CCN** by FEI terms ). This course is available to our guests who want to train at a very high level of cross-country and we also have the horses to suit!
More information on eventing in Ireland can be found at www.eventingireland.com

We know that the vast majority of riders do not aspire to compete at very high levels but nevertheless enjoy jumping cross-country. We have lots of small logs and simple jumps for those who want to just have some fun. Often people spend all their time training in an arena to show jump, however our cross-country course is an ideal way to do lots of diverse jumping and have plenty of fun and learn some new ideas along the way.

Experienced at all levels, from complete beginner to 2* event standard.

Our horses and cobs are a mixture of Sport Horse, Irish Draught and Irish Cobs.

Our ponies are a mixture of Connemara and Irish pony.

Passport and Visa Requirements:
Passports Passport valid for at least three months beyond length of stay required by all except: (a) 1. persons born in the UK travelling direct from the UK (applicable to British passport holde. more

Climate for
Offaly Equestrian Center

Ireland, is famed for its luscious green terrain split up by rocky mountains and rolling hills. The saying goes in Ireland that you can tell the difference between summer and winter by measuring the temperature of the rain- so by this you can gauge that rain is a dominant feature and there isn’t a lot of temperature variation across the country.

The weather is mild but changeable and rain can be expected at any time of the year. Parts of the country are oceanic, and as you move further away from the coast the conditions become slightly more temperature- however the prevailing factor across the whole country is that few temperature extremes are experienced.

Ireland is affected by the North Atlantic Drift, so this has a moderating affect on the climate and keeps winter in Ireland warmer than places of similar latitudes. Its northerly location, however, means that summers never get particular hot either. The climate is generally fairly typical of an insular climate and is moderated by the moist winds that blow across the island, these winds prevail from the south west, off the Atlantic, and can reach particular high speeds at times of the year.

On the whole the west coast is much wetter than the east coast, so this should dispel common belief that Dublin is the wettest city in Ireland. Lying on the east coast, Dublin sees almost half as much rainfall as parts of the west coast.

Inland Ireland gets warmer in the summer months than the coastal region, though on the flipside it also gets much colder in the winter. These temperature differences are not that great, with central Ireland only being a few degrees cooler than the coast. In the centre of the country across the year will record about 40 days below freezing, however on the coast the mercury will only fall below 0 degrees on average 10 days per year.

The country is made up of a ring of coastal mountains, with low lying central plains in the centre. Due to Ireland's mild climate and significant rainfall this has lead to luscious green terrain and plentiful vegetation which makes for very scenic and pleasant landscapes, which has lead to the island being called the ‘Emerald Isle.’ Home to rolling hills, mountainous rocky areas and dramatic green vistas, Ireland is a picturesque place to visit any time of the year.

DUBLIN - Dublin is the capital of Ireland and sits upon the east coast where it is sheltered from the heavy storms that the Atlantic coast is subject to. The climate in Dublin is a maritime, temperate climate that (like the rest of the country) lacks major temperature extremes and has cool summers and mild winters. Although popular belief leads many tourists to believe that Dublin is a very rainy city, it in fact sees fewer days of rain, on average, than London.

The average maximum temperature in January, the midst of winter, is about 8 degrees while July sees average maximums of about 20 degrees. From May to June will see Dublin basking in the most hours of uninterrupted sunlight as this is when the sky will be the clearest and before the more overcast weather sits in. Because of its northerly latitude, in the height of summer the days will have about 19 hours of daylight before the sun sets. On the flipside the winters days are short and in the peak up winter there are only 9 hours of daylight.

December and August in Dublin are generally the wettest months and record 74mm of precipitation on average for the month. April is, on average, the driest month of the year recording 45 mm of precipitation for the whole month.

Occasionally Dublin is hit by strong winds that blow from the Atlantic, though the storms are much less severe here than they are in other parts of the country. If Dublin is to be hit my strong winds it is most likely to occur in the height of winter. In 1997 on December 24, a region just out of Dublin was hit by winds that gathered speeds of 151 km/h!

There are plenty of things to keep you busy if visiting Dublin and find your self in the midst of a rainy windy day, take in the city streets or take a visit to the original Guinness Brewery- don't worry it'll be here for awhile as it as a 9,000 year lease on it's property.

Dublin is affected by the urban heat phenomenon which means the inner city is a few degrees warmer than more regional areas. The heat is stored up in the city centre and will keep it warmer throughout the days.

Any variations in rain or temperature are due mainly to varying altitude and proximity to the Atlantic. The east coast sees about 750mm of precipitation, on average, across the year while the west coast sees 1500mm. In the mountains at higher altitude about 2000mm of precipitation will be recorded, before falling to 800-1200mm in lower lying areas.

Though it has been stated that Ireland does lack temperature extremes, it is hit by the occasional heat wave. Historically the highest temperature ever recorded in Ireland was 33.3°C at Kilkenny Castle June 26 1887. During the 20th century, the record high is 32.5°C at Boora, Co. Offaly which was recorded on 29th June 1976.

What to Bring for
Offaly Equestrian Center

Riders must wear hard hats, it is mandatory in Ireland. We also recommend a body protector at a canter level and beyond.

This list is only a guideline for you

Travel documents and Voucher

Flight tickets

Personal Travel Insurance

Passport

Visa (check with your consulate)

RIDING GEAR

Jodhpurs or comfortable jeans (used if possible!)

Long riding boots: leather or rubber or boots and mini chaps.

Riding helmet (mandatory)

Riding gloves

Hat (with chin strap) for sun protection

Lightweight Waterproof pants and jacket or long riding coast. No capes

PERSONAL CLOTHING

Jacket or sweater for cool evenings

Comfortable T-Shirts/Shirts

Jeans

Shorts

Underwear and socks

Pyjamas

Bag for dirty clothes

Bandana

Warm jacket

Trekking boots/ comfortable shoes

ADDITIONAL THINGS TO BRING

Personal Toiletries

Insect protection

Personal medications

Sore cream (for an emergency)

Sewing kit

Handkerchiefs

Adapter for electric appliances

Camera and extra batteries

Sun glasses with strap

Sun tan lotion and lip balm

Video for
Offaly Equestrian Center

Google Map for
Offaly Equestrian Center

Average Tour Ratings for
Offaly Equestrian Center

*Important Notice: The following ratings have been submitted by guests and do not necessarily represent the views of Hidden Trails, its partners or employees.

Every care is taken to ensure accuracy but Hidden Trails is not liable for any errors or omissions.

Accommodations for
Offaly Equestrian Center

Situated at the centre of the working farm and Equestrian Centre, it is the hub from which the whole farm operates.
The farmhouse has been designed for the comfort and well being of all our guests, including a relaxing lounge area where guests mingle and chat before and after meals where the warm turf fire is a welcome site on winter evenings. The dining room, a cosy centre of activity for all meals, where guests enjoy each other’s company over a lovely home cooked meal, complemented with a bottle of house wine.
The Sun room, a recent addition to the house, is a haven of peace and quiet, where you can relax and unwind, reading, making one of the numerous jigsaws, or simply sit back and reflect on the days activities.

Accommodation holds up to 18 guests and are of quality comforts with every facility and comfort close at hand. The pitch-pine floors and beams, open fires, and en-suite bedrooms are complemented with colorful patchwork quilts. The setting is a restored grain barn which has been sumptuously fitted out to the highest standards. Each of the bedrooms are en-suite with a number of family rooms available for relaxing and socializing. There are a few different room arrangements available at the guesthouse in Offaly, each was named after an old building that once stood in the farm yard.The Dairy - Accommodates 3 riders, with one double bed and one single bed.The Granary - Accommodates 4 riders, with one double bed and two single beds.The Bridle - Accommodates 4 riders, with one double bed and two single beds.The Forge - Accommodates 2 riders, with two single beds.The Tack Room - Accommodates 2 riders, with one double bed.The Stable - Accommodates 2 riders, with two single beds.The Barn - Accommodates 2 riders, with two single beds.
As an oveflow we use a neghbouring B&B at times.Meals:All meals are catered for in the superb new Bistro with views over the horse pastures. The food is freshly prepared using local produce wherever possible, ensuring the best of Irish food every day of your stay. Sit back by the open fire while you read through the menu of the evening and see what takes your fancy. For Sunday night there are several good restaurants in Tullamore for you to explore.
We make all our own breads and cakes, but the real treats are the wonderful homemade jams, marmalades and chutneys. Why not bring some home with you as a small gift for friends and neighbours.
Special Diets are catered for with no fuss, but it is helpful if we know beforehand what the requirements are - just send us an email & we will do our best to facilitate you.

Breakfast: Usually between 9.00 and 9.30, guests meet in the sun room, where they can choose from the variety of breakfast cereals, fruits, yogurts, cold meats, cheese, and homemade bread. There is also a cooked breakfast - choose from the Small Irish, Full Irish, Scrambled Eggs, Boiled Eggs, Poached Eggs, Omelettes, or indeed the Vegetarian Full Irish!
Coffee and a variety of herbal and non-herbal teas are available.

Lunch: Again usually served in the Sun Room at 1.00pm, this is generally a self-service light mid-day meal, while enjoying a well earned respite from the rigours of horse riding.
Homemade soup, quiches, cold meats, cheeses homemade bread, pizza, etc., followed by tea or coffee and some of Lynda’s homemade cookies!

Dinner: Served in the main Dining Room at approximately 7.00pm. This is an opportunity to reflect on the day’s events, laugh, cry, talk of past riding experiences, and express hopes for the next day’s activities.

We cook the best of Irish meat and vegetables, sourced locally, followed by one of our numerous tasteful and sometimes sinful desserts!. Dinner is laid back, with no urgency and you can sit until late drinking coffee or finishing your wine. Until bed time calls, the children can play with games, read books, make jigsaws, or enjoy being with the dogs and other animals around the yard. In summer there is nothing nicer than sitting on the patio after an al-fresco meal, enjoying a drink and watching the world go by!
There is always tea and coffee and homemade cookies or cake available throughout the day, and guests are welcome to help themselves whenever they wish. Wine and beer is also available, cooling in the fridge, and again guests are welcome to help themselves and just sign for them. (all alcohol can be paid for at the end of your stay).

Offaly Equestrian Center

The Riding Program includes 2-3 riding hours per day - up to a total of 12 hrs or 18 hrs for the week. Whether you are a complete novice and have never ridden a horse before, or a seasoned horseman looking for something more challenging, you will find the experience at this center both rewarding and extremely enjoyable.
You can also reserve the advanced instruction program that includes 3 hours of intense instruction on 6 of the days during your week long stay. The center will design the instructions according to your riding level and include jumping, dressage, cross-country and theory.

Horseback Cross-country Course We have an extensive cross-country course of over 130 obstacles on our 380 acre (160 ha.) farm. They range from simple logs for those who are only starting out at jumping to a full Intermediate Horse Trials event course.
Twice a year we run Eventing Ireland one-day events. The course has been designed by Tommy Brennan International and European Championship course designer. We run Training, Novice and Open Intermediate Classes ( or CCN* & CCN** by FEI terms ). This course is available to our guests who want to train at a very high level of cross-country and we also have the horses to suit!
More information on eventing in Ireland can be found at www.eventingireland.com

We know that the vast majority of riders do not aspire to compete at very high levels but nevertheless enjoy jumping cross-country. We have lots of small logs and simple jumps for those who want to just have some fun. Often people spend all their time training in an arena to show jump, however our cross-country course is an ideal way to do lots of diverse jumping and have plenty of fun and learn some new ideas along the way.

Experienced at all levels, from complete beginner to 2* event standard.

Our horses and cobs are a mixture of Sport Horse, Irish Draught and Irish Cobs.

Our ponies are a mixture of Connemara and Irish pony.

Visa Requirement For
Offaly Equestrian Center

Passports
Passport valid for at least three months beyond length of stay required by all except:
(a) 1. persons born in the UK travelling direct from the UK (applicable to British passport holders only).
Note: Whilst UK citizens do not require a passport or visa to enter Ireland, most carriers by air or sea now require some form of identification with photograph, usually a passport or driving licence with photo. Visitors should check what form of ID is required with the individual airline, ferry company or travel agent before travelling.
(b) 2. EU nationals holding a valid national ID card.
Note: EU nationals are only required to produce evidence of their EU nationality and identity in order to be admitted to any EU Member State. This evidence can take the form of a valid national passport or national identity card. Either is acceptable. Possession of a return ticket, any length of validity on their document, sufficient funds for the length of their proposed visit should not be imposed.
Passport Note
3. Imposition of a return ticket as a condition of entry is at the discretion of the Immigration Officer at point of entry.

Visas
Not required by all nationals referred to in the chart above for the following durations:
(a) nationals of EU countries for an unlimited period (nationals of EU countries wishing to stay for longer than three months must register with the Garda National Immigration Bureau).
(b) nationals of Australia, Canada and the USA for stays of up to 90 days.
Note: Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements

Passport Required?

British

1

Australian

Yes

Canadian

Yes

USA

Yes

Other EU

2

Visa Required?

British

No

Australian

No

Canadian

No

USA

No

Other EU

No

Return Ticket Required?

British

No

Australian

3

Canadian

3

USA

3

Other EU

No

This information is not being updated on a regular basis. Hidden Trails does not
take any responsibility for the accuracy of the above information. Please, consult
the embassy or consulate for updated info.